Are you looking for a school? Here is a guidelining questionnaire

Every school has its own “personality” and visiting a school is an invaluable way to get a first personal impression about the atmosphere and ask questions and get documentation about the school. Lately I participated in a writing contest on expatsblog, and am proud to say that my article was one of the winners. It consisted in two parts: one was an updated list about the International Schools in The Hague area and the other one was a questionnaire, a list of questions parents can ask while visiting a school for their children.

This list was quite general and I found some more questions to add and a better subdivision of them. Some of the questions are specifically for frequently moving families, but most of them are universal.

1) To make your child(ren) feel comfortable:

Does the school have planned activities to assist your child in a positive start to school?

Do the students seem happy at school?

Do the students look actively engaged in learning?

Does the school assign “buddies” to new students?

Do the grades interact, and if yes, how and when?

How big are the classes, how is the student-teacher ratio?

Does the school allow parents to volunteer in the classroom?

Is the approach child-centered and challenging enough to develop each child’s strenghts and love of learning?

Are the course offerings extensive enough to meet your child’s needs?

At what age are students offered modern languages?

What is the daily, weekly, monthly schedule like?

How much movement or multisensory experiences are built into the curriculum?

How much homework is there?

How many co-curricular activities (arts, sports, clubs etc.) are offered? Are they included in the school fees?

To what extent can you be a partner in your child’s learning?

2) General questions about the school

How many years has the school existed?

Is the school board run by parents who are elected?

What is the reputation of the accrediting institution(s)?

What is the duration for the current school accreditation?

Was the annual report with budgets available for you to inspect?

Does this schoo have a particular educational philosophy or mission?

What are some of the school’s greatest accomplishments? What are some of the biggest challenges this school faces?

3) Reachablilty and safety

How long will it take for your child to get to school?

Is there a bus service available for this school? What kind of bus service (door to door or other)? Is your company going to contribute in the expenses of the bus service?

What security precautions are forseen by the school? Is the campus a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment?

What is this school’s approach to student discipline and safety?

Does the school have a nurse? If my child has severe allergies: what are the school policies (nuts allergies etc.)?

How does the school manage bullying (on the playground and cyberbullying)?

4) Teachers / staff

Are all the teachers certified, including ESL, SEN, PE etc. teachers?

Are the language teachers certified teachers?

What are the expectations for staff about students of high ability, special needs, ESL and other areas?

How long on average does the school retain its teachers?

What percentage of teachers has earned advanced degrees?

Does the school support professional development, so teacher learn and apply “best practices”?

Is time dedicated for teachers to meet as teams to jointly plan curriculum and assess each child’s needs?

Does the staff seem happy?

During your visit, are teachers available and friendly?

What is the “feeling” or “tone” of the staff? Are they friendly and professional?

How frequently will you receive information concerning your child’s progress?

5) Curriculum

What types of standardized tests are offered, and how do the students perform?

Is the curriculum broadened with “best practices” around the world, so students can be well prepared for their next school?

How is technology used to support teaching and learning at this school?

If your child has ‘special learning needs’, how will the school meet these?

What strategies are used to teach students who are not fluent in English (or the language lessons are taught in)?

What types of field trips are available for students? Which are compulsory?

How do the arts fit into the curriculum? Is there a school choir, band or orchestra? A school play? Art classes?

How does this school support students who have academic, social or emotional difficulties?

6 a) For elementary schools

What are some highlights of this school’s curriculum in reading, math, science and social studies?

What criteria are used to determine student placement in classes?

How does this school keep parents informed of school information and activities?

Living the dream and the reality that goes along with it... The good, the bad & the everyday things that make life interesting in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Believe in dreams & fear not the realization of them… for anything is possible. Bellanda ®